MUSK & DORSEY’S RADICAL “DELETE IP LAW” DEBATE: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF INNOVATION AND PROTECTION IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

The recent proposal to repeal intellectual property (IP) rules by internet leaders Elon Musk and Jack Dorsey has provoked a heated discussion among academics, lawmakers, and business participants. Opponents caution that doing away with IP protections will upset established international treaties, destabilize global markets, and undermine incentives for creators, while supporters contend that doing so may spur innovation by breaking up monopolies and promoting open cooperation. This essay analyzes the "delete IP law" proposal critically, placing it within the context of intellectual property rights' historical development, assessing its possible effects on innovation ecosystems, and considering whether changes rather than abolition could be a more sensible course of action. Through doctrinal analysis, case studies, and comparative perspectives, the article concludes that outright abolition of IP law is impractical, but the debate underscores urgent need for recalibration of global IP frameworks in light of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence.